Folding top structure



Feb. 22, 1966 E. G. PODOLAN 3,236,557

FOLDING TOP STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Feb. 22, 1966 PODQLAN 3,236,557

FOLDING TOP STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 8, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United StatesPatent 3,236,557 FOLDING TOP STRUCTURE Edward G. Podolan, St. ClaireShores, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,674 6 Claims.(Cl. 296145) This invention relates to vehicle bodies and moreparticularly to folding top structures for vehicle bodies.

The use of thin rigid glass instead of flexible transparent plasticmaterial for the back window closures of vehicle body folding topstructures is desirable for many reasons, principal among which arelonger life and more attractive over-all appearance of the top. Balancedagainst these considerations in the past, however, have been manydisadvantages which have inhered in the use of rigid glass material infolding top structures design according to modern styling trends. Theprimary disadvantage has been the diiiiculty in properly relating thesize of the closure, th size of the adjacent fabric panels, and thesweep of the rear bow so as to readily accomrnodate movement of theclosure into and out of the folding top well when it is moved as a unitwith the folding top structure. In providing for such movement,designers have, in the past been forced to compromise styling criteriaby markedly reducing the size of the rigid glass closure and increasingthe size of the adjacent fabric panels so that the closure issufficiently small to present no restriction to folding movement of thetop structure.

This invention provides a folding top structure having a back windowclosure arrangement wherein a rigid glass or other closure member isreadily movable between closed and retracted positions, either with orindependently of movement of the folding top structure, but is yet ofmaximum size, and otherwise free of the disadvantages of the past backwindow closure arrangements. This is accomplished by mounting theclosure on the body by means independent of the folding top structure sothat the path of movement of the closure is not dictated by the geometryof the folding top. In addition, the closure mounting means arereleasably connectible to the folding top structure so that the closuremay move as a unit therewith, or, if desired, independently thereof.

One object of this invention is to provide a new and improved foldingtop structure. Another object of this invention is to provide a foldingtop structure having a new and improved back window closure arrangementwherein a rigid glass or other back window closure is readily movablebetween closed and retracted positions, but which yet may be sized tomaximum desired proportions. Yet another object of this invention is toprovide such a closure arrangement wherein the closure is movablebetween closed and retracted positions either as a unit with the foldingtop structure or independently thereof.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention withbe readily apparent from the following specification and drawingswherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away view of a vehicle bodyhaving a folding top structure according to this invention showing theback window closure thereof in closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing th back window closure ina retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG- URE l; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the planeindicated by lines 44 of FIG- URE 1.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown arear quarter area of a convertible 3,236,557 Patented Feb. 22, 1966vehicle body designated generally as 10, the body including a rearquarter portion 12, an opposite rear quarter portion 14, a deck 16, anda floor pan 18. A folding top structure 20 is adapted for movementbetween a raised position as shown and a lowered position, not shown,and includes a top fabric 22 and a rear how 24 pivotally mounted on afolding top member 26 which is in turn pivotally mounted on a bodybracket 28. Folding top structure 20 is of generally conventionalconstruction, and since the remainder of the operative elements thereofare not pertinent to an understanding of this invention, they areaccordingly not shown nor described.

Fabric 22 is secured at its rearward terminal edge 30 to a tacking strip32 suitably secured to body 10 and includes a portion 23 intermediatethe tacking strip and rear bow 24 provided with a back window cutout 34.A closure 36 of thin rigid glass is provided to close cutout 34. Closure36 is adapted for movement between a raised position as shown closingcutout 34, and a lowered position, shown in FIGURE 2. Movement of theclosure between these two positions is effected by two sets of linkage42, each being located adjacent a respective quarter portion 12 or 14,and being operably interconnected to closure 36 adajcent a respectiveside thereof. Since these linkage sets are identical, only one is shownand described.

As seen best in FIGURE 4, a side edge portion of closure 36 has securedthereto as by cement or otherwise, a bracket 38 which has pivotallyconnected thereto by a shouldered threaded stud 40 one end of a link 44.The other end of link 44 is pivotally connected to a link 46 to form thelinkage 42, and link 46 is pivotally mounted at its other end on abracket 48 secured to floor pan 18. Linkage 42 is foldable from theextended position shown in FIGURE 1 to either of two generally unfoldedpositions, shown in full and broken lines in FIG- URE 2, wherein closure36 is in generally retracted position. In the raised position of theclosure, a pair of set screws 50 and 52 positively limit rotation oflinks 44 and 46.

Selectively releasable latch and connecting means for eitherinterconnecting linkage 42 to rear bow 24 for movement of closure 36 asa unit with folding top 20 or for disconnecting linkage 42 forindependent movement of closure 36 includes a cable 54 provided at itslower end with an eyelet 56 adapted to be received over a hooked endelement 58 of a leaf spring squeeze latch 60 mounted to link 46. Cable54 is pivotally secured at its other end to one leg of a generallyU-shaped resilient tensioner member 62 which is pivotally mounted at 64on a bracket 66 attached to rear bow 24, FIGURE 3. Member 62 is soshaped as to be resiliently clampingly engaged to or disengaged from alower edge portion of rear bow 24 under manual effort applied to afinger portion 63 of the member.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, the lower edge of closure 36 has mountedthereto a channel 68 which is suitably secured to an upper edge of afabric liner 70 stitched to top fabric 22. When closure 36 is in raisedposition, liner 70 closely engages fabric 22, and when closure 36 is ina retracted position, shown in full lines, the lower edge of the closureis suspended by liner 70 and fabric 22. A conventional bite bow 72,shown only in section, extends transversely across body 16 immediatelybelow deck 16 and is operably interconnected to rear bow 24 in a mannernot shown to tension fabric 22 in the raised position of folding top 20and to support the fabric against the weight of closure 36.

As also shown best in FIGURE 2, the upper edge of closure 36 is providedwith a channel 74. This channel, as will be described, is adapted tomove into and out of a generally channel-shaped resilient sealing member76 which is decoratively beaded and attached to fabric 22 adjacent theupper edge of cutout 34.

In operation, as previously alluded to, the back window closurearrangement of this invention is adapted to effect movement of closure36 between raised and lowered positions either in unison with movementof the folding top or independently thereof. If it is desired to movethe closure 36 to the full line retracted position of FIGURE 2independently of movement of folding top 20, member 62 is first manuallydisengaged from rear bow 24 by rotating it counterclockwise about pivot64, thus releasing tension on cable 54 so that eyelet 56 may be removedfrom element 58. Linkage 42 may thus be manually lowered to the positionof FIGURE 2, which movement initially occurs with slight clockwiserotation of link 34 so as to move closure 36 generally parallel topfabric 22 and out of sealing engagement between channel 74 and seal 76.Immediately thereafter, closure 36, by reason of the center of gravitythereof being somewhat below the point of attachment of bracket 38,begins to rotate generally clockwise thereabout so as to move the lowerend thereof downwardly to clear the forward edge of deck 16. Thereafter,linkage 42 continues to fold upon itself to lower the closure 36generally vertically into the convertible top well and to the full lineposition of FIGURE 2. To manually move the closure 36 back to raisedposition, the reverse process is performed by grasping link 46 andmoving it generally counterclockwise. In the last stages of thismovement, closure 36 moves generally parallel fabric 22 and intoengagement at the upper edge thereof between channel 74 and seal 76.Eyelet 56 may thereupon be re-engaged with element 58 and member 62 isrotated clockwise into resilient clamping engagement with rear bow 24 totension cable 54 and securely locate the closure in raised position,wherein all edges of the closure are firmly engaged against fabricportion 23.

It will be recognized that linkage 42 may be altered to any desiredextent from the configuration shown to effect various different paths ofmovement of closure 36 between raised and retracted position. This maybe desirable, for example, if seal 76 is otherwise than of the generallyChannel-shaped configuration shown. Also, depending upon thelongitudinal length of the folding top well, it may be desired to havethe closure located more forwardly or rearwardly of the body in itsretracted position than is shown. These requirements may be met byproper selection of the lengths of the links 44 and 46, and by thesetting of the set screws 50 and 52, which determine the point in thepath of upward travel of linkage 42 whereat the linkage moves withoutrelative rotation between the links thereof.

If it is desired to lower closure 36 and folding top 20 as a unit, latch60 and member 62 are left undisturbed. Since the lower edge of closure36 is substantially free of any restrictive connection with folding top20, and since the combined weight of the closure and linkage 42 issufficient to insure that the closure moves in the predetermined pathdefined by linkage 42 independently of any influence of folding topmovement, closure 36 will freely fall with folding top 24 insubstantially the same path of movement as when it is loweredindependently of the top, with the exception, of course, that channel 68on the upper edge of the closure will remain engaged within seal 76.

As previously mentioned, bite bow 72 is operably connected with rear bow24 so that when folding top 20 is retracted bite bow 72 is relaxed topermit the adjacent portion of fabric 22 and the lower edge of closure36 to move downwardly to the broken line position of FIG- URE 2. In thisposition, sufficient room is made available in the folding top well topermit storage of folding top 20 over closure 36.

vided.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle body having a top structure provided with an openingtherein and being movable in a path between raised and loweredpositions, the combination comprising a closure member adapted to closesaid top opening, means independent of said top structure for mountingsaid closure on said body for movement in a path other than the path ofmovement of said top structure and between a first position closing saidtop opening when said top structure is in the raised position thereofand a second retracted position, and selectively releasable connectingmeans for either connecting said closure to said top structure formovement of said closure between said first and second positions thereofin unison with movement of said top structure between said raised andlowered positions thereof or for disconnecting said closure for movementbetween said first and second positions thereof independently ofmovement of said top structure.

2. In a vehicle body having a top structure provided with an openingtherein and being movable between raised and lowered positions, thecombination comprising a closure member adapted to close said topopening, linkage means movably mounted on said body, means mounting saidclosure on said linkage means, said linkage means being operable to movesaid closure between a first position closing said top opening when saidtop structure is in the raised position thereof and a second retractedposition, and selectively releasable interconnecting means for eitherinterconnecting said linkage means to a portion of said top structurefor movement of said closure between said first and second positionsthereof in unison with movement of said top structure between saidraised and lowered positions thereof or for disconnecting said linkagemeans for movement of said closure between said first and secondpositions thereof independently of movement of said top structure.

3. In a vehicle body having a top structure provided.

with an opening therein and being movable between raised and loweredpositions, the combination comprising a closure member adapted to closesaid top opening, sealing means mounted on said top structure forengagement with an upper edge portion of said closure, closure mountingmeans movably mounted on said body, means connecting said mounting meansto opposite side edge portions of said closure, said mounting meansbeing operable to move said closure between a first position whereinsaid side edge portions engage said top structure and said upper edgeportion engages said sealing means to close said top opening in theraised position of said top structure and a second retracted position,and selectively releasable interconnecting means for eitherinterconnecting said mounting means to a portion of said top structurefor movement of said closure between said first and second positionsthereof in unison with movement of said top structure between saidraised and lowered positions thereof or for disconnecting said mountingmeans for movement of said closure between said first and secondpositions thereof independently of movement of said top structure.

4. In a vehicle body having a top structure provided with an openingtherein and being movable between raised and lowered positions, thecombination comprising a closure member adapted to close said topopening, sealing means mounted on said top structure for engagement withan upper edge portion of said closure, foldable linkage means movablymounted on said body, means interconnecting said linkage means withopposite side edge portions of said closure, said linkage means being,movable between a generally unfolded position locating said closure ina first position wherein said side edgeportions engage said topstructure and said upper edge portion engages said sealing means toclose said top opening in the raised position of said top structure anda generally folded position locating said closure in a second retractedposition, and selectively releasable interconnecting means for either inerconnecting said linkage means to said topv structure for movement ofsaid closure between said first and second positions thereof in unisonwith movement of said top structure between said raised and loweredpositions thereof or for disconnecting said linkage means for movementof said closure between said first and second positions thereofindependently of movement of said top structure.

5. In a vehicle body having a top structure movable between raised andlowered positions and provided with a portion having an opening therein,the combination comprising a closure member adapted to close said topopening, a pair of linkage means each movably mounted on said bodyadjacent a respective side thereof and in cluding a first link memberpivotally mounted on said body adjacent one end thereof and connectedadjacent the other end thereof to one end of a second link member, saidsecond link members each being pivotally connected to a respective sideedge portion of said closure, said linkage means being movable between agenerally unfolded position thereof locating said closure in a firstposition wherein said side edge portions thereof are in engagement withsaid top structure portion in the raised position of said top structureand a generally folded position locating said closure in a secondretracted position, sealing means mounted on said top structure portionfor engagement with a top edge portion of said closure, said linkagemeans being operable in the last stages of movement thereof from foldedto unfolded position to move said closure generally parallel said topstructure portion and into sealing engagement at said top edge portionwith said sealing means, a connecting member adapted to interconnect oneof said linkage means with said top structure, selectively releasablelatch means adjacent one end of said connecting member for eitherconnecting said connecting member to said one linkage means for movementof said closure between said first and second positions thereof inunison with movement of said top structure between said raised andlowered positions thereof or for disconnecting said connecting memberfrom said one linkage means for movement of said closure between saidfirst and second positions thereof independently of movement of said topstructure, and tensioning means connecting the other end of saidconnecting member with said top structure and being selectively manuallyoperable to tension said closure into tight engagement in said firstposition thereof with said top structure portion.

6. In a vehicle body having a top structure provided with an openingtherein and being movable between raised and lowered positions, thecombination comprising a closure member adapted to close said topopening, closure mounting means movably mounted on said body, meansconnecting said mounting means to opposite side edge portions of saidclosure, means-connecting a lower edge portion of said closure to aportion of said top structure, said mounting means being operable tomove said closure between a first position closing said top opening whensaid top structure is in the raised position thereof and a secondretracted position, selectively releasable interconnecting means foreither interconnecting said mounting means to said top structure formovement of said closure between said first and second positions thereofin unison with movement of said top structure between said raised andlowered positions thereof or for disconnecting said mounting means formovement of said closure between said first position thereof and anintermediate position retracted within said body, and bite bow meansengageable with said top structure portion in the raised position ofsaid top to support said closure in said intermediate position thereof,said bite bow means being operable upon movement of said top structurefrom said raised position to said lowered position thereof to permitmovement of said closure from said intermediate position to said secondposition thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,495,022 1/ 1950Robbins 296- 2,762,648 9/1956 HuZZard 296117 X 3,091,494 5/1963 Cohen296-145 X 3,096,117 7/ 1963 Hallenbeck 296l07 BENJAMIN HERSH, PrimaryExaminer.

A. HARRY LEVY, Examiner.

1. IN A VEHICLE BODY HAVING A TOP STRUCTURE PROVIDED WITH AN OPENINGTHEREIN AND BEING MOVABLE IN A PATH BETWEEN RAISED AND LOWEREDPOSITIONS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A CLOSURE MEMBER ADAPTED TO CLOSESAID TOP OPENING, MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID TOP STRUCTURE FOR MOUNTINGSAID CLOSURE ON SAID BODY FOR MOVEMENT IN A PATH OTHER THAN THE PATH OFMOVEMENT OF SAID TOP STRUCTURE AND BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION CLOSING SAIDTOP OPEN WHEN SAID TOP STRUCTURE IS IN THE RAISED POSITION THEREOF AND ASECOND RETRACTED POSITION, AND SELECTIVELY RELEASABLE CONNECTING MEANSFOR EITHER CONNECTING SAID CLOSURE TO SAID TOP STRUCTURE FOR MOVEMENT OFSAID CLOSURE BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS THEREOF IN UNISONWITH MOVE-